V.2 Steps to Practice Making Proper Use of Impressions

 

V.2 Steps to Practice Making Proper Use of Impressions

Claude:
"I understand. I'll combine the information from your previous prompt with the new text [Grant Sterling; see link below] to modify the steps for making proper use of impressions, focusing on the mechanism of assent. Here's an updated and expanded version of the steps:

**Steps to Practice Making Proper Use of Impressions**

1. **Pause and Observe the Impression**
   • When an impression arises, consciously interrupt your automatic response.
   • Recognize that the initial impression is not under your direct control.
   • Identify the nature of the impression: Is it purely cognitive or does it have a value component?
   • Label the impression objectively, e.g., "This is an impression that my backpack has been moved."

2. **Examine the Impression**
   • Analyze the content of the impression: Is it claiming something about the world?
   • Determine if the impression has a value component (e.g., "This is bad").
   • Consider the context and potential origins of the impression.
   • Assess whether the impression relates to externals (things not in your control) or internals (your judgments and actions).

3. **Apply Rational Judgment (Assent or Withhold Assent)**
   • Decide whether to assent to the impression as true, reject it as false, or withhold judgment.
   • If the impression involves externals as good or bad, be cautious about assenting.
   • Remember that assenting to value-laden impressions can lead to desires or emotions.
   • Consider formulating alternative impressions that align with Stoic principles.

4. **Respond, Don't React**
   • If you withhold assent, recognize that no action or emotion need follow.
   • If you assent, choose a response based on virtue and reason, not impulse.
   • For impressions about externals, formulate responses that recognize their indifferent nature.
   • Practice formulating and assenting to true action propositions based on your roles and duties.

5. **Reflect and Learn**
   • After responding, reflect on your process of assent and its consequences.
   • Assess whether your assents aligned with Stoic principles of virtue and indifference to externals.
   • Consider how your pattern of assent is shaping your character over time.

6. **Practice Visualization**
   • Mentally rehearse receiving impressions and practicing careful assent.
   • Visualize formulating alternative, Stoic-aligned impressions to common challenging situations.

7. **Seek Feedback and Guidance**
   • Study Stoic texts to deepen your understanding of proper assent to impressions.
   • Discuss your practice with fellow Stoics, focusing on the process of assent.


8. **Cultivate Consistency**
   • Strive to apply careful assent consistently, even with seemingly minor impressions.
   • Recognize that mastery comes through repetition, gradually changing your default impressions.

9. **Adapt and Refine**
   • As you progress, work towards automatically receiving impressions that align with Stoic values.
   • Aim for the ideal of the Sage, who no longer receives false value impressions about externals.
   • Continually refine your ability to formulate and assent to true propositions about virtue and indifferents.

"By focusing on the mechanism of assent and incorporating the Stoic understanding of impressions, this revised approach offers a more nuanced and philosophically grounded method for making proper use of impressions in daily life."

Making correct use of impressions, training and character development